19th Century Japanese Ivory Netsuke
Fukurokuju
Holding Scroll & Fan
Netsuke Signature: Gyokushi, Circa: 19th Century
h. 2 in.(5cm.), w. 1. in.(2.5cm.), d. 0.75 in.(2cm.)
condition: very good

A fine 19th to early 20th century ivory netsuke, highly detailed with exceptional modeling of the face and subtle smile, cream to gold in color, depicting Fukurokuju, one of the seven gods of good fortune, whose name means wisdom, luck and longevity. Here the exaggerated proportions contribute to the dwarfish appearance, continued at the back with great charm.

Private Collection

Fukurokuju is three gods rolled into one: (Fuku), wealth(Roku), and Lo (Ju). He was a Chinese Hermit of the Sung Dynasty who was a reincarnation of the Taoist god Hsuan-Wu, a crown prince who, like Buddha, refused to be made a king and left worldly life to study religion, devoting his life to the study of Taoism and eventually becoming an Immortal. Fukurokuju is a Sennin -- a rustic philosopher who can exist without eating any food. He is a small elderly man with an elongated forehead (seat of the third eye and the source of his mystic wisdom). He is the only god among the Seven Gods of Good Fortune who is credited with being able to revive the dead. He carries a fan and a scroll of sacred teachings upon which is written all the knowledge and wisdom of the world.